The Charles Street Promenade will return on June 6, transforming one of Baltimore’s main commercial corridors into a car-free “pedestrian playground” featuring music, crafts, games, food and more.
During the free Saturday event, Charles Street will be closed to vehicles between Saratoga Street and North Avenue, giving pedestrians a chance to shop, dine or explore without worrying about car traffic.
Many merchants and restaurants along the way will offer promotions to encourage people to take part. The Station North Arts District will have an After Party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“We’re taking over 17 blocks from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and turning historic Charles Street into a full-on pedestrian playground – no cars, just people, movement, music, food and pure Baltimore energy,” the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, the lead organizer, announced on social media.
A full list of programming can be found at the organization’s web site. It includes a variety of activities broken down by block. For example, a Baltimore Heritage Walking Tour will start at 2 p.m. on the 300 block, while there is a block party with the BMore Flea Market in the 800 block and sidewalk sales on the 1000 block.
This will be the eighth Charles Street Promenade since the COVID-19 pandemic spread to the U.S. in early 2020. Activities will include outdoor dining, walking tours, a beer garden, a kid zone and more.
Besides the Downtown Partnership, organizers include Charles Street Development Corporation; Midtown Community Benefits District; Mount Vernon Place Conservancy; Station North Arts District; Metro Baltimore; Downtown Rise and the City of Baltimore, especially the Department of Transportation.
Participating attractions include the Walters Art Museum; the Baltimore Basilica; the Washington Monument and the Maryland Center for History and Culture, as well as dozens of shops and restaurants.
More information is at charlesstreetpromenade.com.
